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undiagnosable (reactive arthritis) (reiters syndrome)
Okay for the past 4-5 months I have been experience "herpes-like" symptoms. (sensitive penis head, urethrits) however I have had THREE blood tests, all coming back negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. Never any sores. this all started when I caught chlamydia from having unprotected sex with a a female partner. I noticed symptoms of painful urination and went in to the docs, got diagnosed, loaded with antibiotics that killed the clap and am still having trouble with this. The reason I'm scared that it is herpes is because it is recurring. I'll have sensitive glans and urethritis for a week or two and then have nothing for a few weeks and then it comes back. Also, I received oral from a woman who later went on to tell me she has HSV-2 on her genitals but claimed she did not have it on her mouth. I've also been broken up with by my girlfriend of whom I love 3 times over the expanse of the 5 months and after each time the symptoms flared up. I've been to 5 different types of doctors. The rheumatologist believes I have reactive arthritis (I'm also experiencing joint pain and scaly feet), however does reactive arthritis explain the reoccurring urogenital issues? These past 5 months have been a hell on earth and the depression caused by this is getting unbearable. Please help!
Best Answer
Thanks again :)
You have successfully quelled my anxieties for the time being about having herpes. However, to rule it out I am going to wait a couple months and get a final full panel STD test to rule it out. Most of the information I see demonstrates that 6 months for HSV antibodies to show up in the body is the longest possible amount of time it could take for them to show. I am probably going to tell my partner to get a test just because I've been having so many problems and leave out that I previously had chlamydia. On the off chance that I did infect her, I'd rather her baby making organs be safe and us be apart forever than be responsible for something so atrocious. Once again, you've helped me a considerable amount. Close to if not more than even my family practitioner has helped me. You are a hero!
Thank you, once more!
You have successfully quelled my anxieties for the time being about having herpes. However, to rule it out I am going to wait a couple months and get a final full panel STD test to rule it out. Most of the information I see demonstrates that 6 months for HSV antibodies to show up in the body is the longest possible amount of time it could take for them to show. I am probably going to tell my partner to get a test just because I've been having so many problems and leave out that I previously had chlamydia. On the off chance that I did infect her, I'd rather her baby making organs be safe and us be apart forever than be responsible for something so atrocious. Once again, you've helped me a considerable amount. Close to if not more than even my family practitioner has helped me. You are a hero!
Thank you, once more!
2 Comments
Hey gman011 did you ever figure out what this was due to and has it gone away?
Haha.. wow this post is almost 7 years old. Luckily, I don't have herpes and the symptoms I was experiencing were likely psycho-somatic from the immense stress and anxiety I had put myself through. Meditation was all I needed.
Thank you very much for your input! I forwent reporting in this post my on and off itchy eyes which I did mention to my rheumatologist. I have moved back to my college town however and have not had a chance to return to her for a specific diagnosis. I also did not mention that with each blood test for herpes came a full STD urine test (chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.) as well as full panel STD blood test (herpes, HIV), all panels coming back negative. I have had maybe 3-4 unprotected sexings with my ex-girlfriend, however these have happened in between tests and nothing has showed up. I made the mistake of having unprotected intercourse with her before being confirmed clap-free albeit post intravenous antibiotics. Although, the next day, I took a urine test that came up negative for chlamydia. She is not experiencing any symptoms. Unfortunately and recently, my infectious disease doctor found staphylococcus in my nose and treated me with 10-day Doxy before I could acquire another STD test during this last "flare-up" which began 08/28/11. The flare-up began near the end of the course of Doxy. If I did manage to transmit the bacteria to her, the only way of knowing would be to have her get an STD test. The truth would bring complete excommunication. Any suggestions on this topic, although unrelated to medicine, would be VERY much appreciated. Likewise, any input on the additional information I have given pertaining to my condition would also be very helpful. Most of the doctors I have seen have shrugged my health concerns off so your reply has already meant a lot to me.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi there!
Well, reactive arthritis is a possibility, though for considering the diagnosis of Reiter’s syndrome one would need eye involvement as well. Specific diagnosis would require further testing. The urethritis could be due to repeated unrelated infections or due to the flare up of a previous infection and may or may not be related to the joint symptoms. There are a few other conditions as well that could cause scales and joint involvement such as psoriasis etc. To begin with I would suggest running an entire STD panel, about 8 weeks post your last unprotected sexual intercourse. During an acute episode of urethritis one may run a urine culture and serum levels of specific antibodies. Also further testing for reactive arthritis and other likely possibilities is indicated for establishing a diagnosis. It would be best to discuss this in detail with your primary care physician/ urologist/ rheumatologist for a complete evaluation, accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Hope this helps.
Take care!
Well, reactive arthritis is a possibility, though for considering the diagnosis of Reiter’s syndrome one would need eye involvement as well. Specific diagnosis would require further testing. The urethritis could be due to repeated unrelated infections or due to the flare up of a previous infection and may or may not be related to the joint symptoms. There are a few other conditions as well that could cause scales and joint involvement such as psoriasis etc. To begin with I would suggest running an entire STD panel, about 8 weeks post your last unprotected sexual intercourse. During an acute episode of urethritis one may run a urine culture and serum levels of specific antibodies. Also further testing for reactive arthritis and other likely possibilities is indicated for establishing a diagnosis. It would be best to discuss this in detail with your primary care physician/ urologist/ rheumatologist for a complete evaluation, accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Hope this helps.
Take care!
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Well in the situation, the diagnosis of reactive arthritis/ Reiter’s syndrome becomes highly likely and further testing may be done; though symptoms alone are required for a diagnosis. It may not be possible to isolate the organism during the flares since the condition is autoimmune related and management at this stage is usually symptomatic. If the STD tests have been negative post 8 weeks after the alleged episode, it is unlikely for you to have contracted an infection; though for a confirmation the panel may be repeated after 4-6 months. Also, the best would be to get an STD panel for your partner as well. Chlamydia may remain asymptomatic in about 50-75% women before complications occur and lack of symptoms does not necessarily mean lack of infection. The least that is suggested for her is to take empirical antibiotics that would be effective for chlamydia assuming an infection (possibly a treatment for another infection that would presumably respond to the same antibiotic).
Hope this helps.
Take care!